MB: RTS project must start soon to ease congestion at Causeway

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor wants the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) project to start as soon as possible to ease congestion at the Causeway.

Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said congestion at the Causeway had reached a point where something must be done to address the matter.

“We hope to see the project taking place by middle of 2019,” he said after attending the Corruption-Free pledge ceremony with the state executive councillors here.

Osman said the Economic Planning Unit was finalising details on the RTS project, adding that a company has been identified to undertake the project.

He hoped there would be no delays in implementing the project as it would bring benefits to both Johor and Singapore.

“Improvement in connectivity and accessibility between Johor Baru and Singapore will boost economic activities on both sides of the Straits of Johor,” said Osman.

The RTS, which connects Bukit Chagar, Johor Baru to Woodlands, Singapore, involves a cost of RM4bil, and can carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in both directions when complete in 2024, and is believed to be able to overcome the problems of frequent congestion experienced by the people of both countries at the Causeway.